Inbrief

Do you have something to tell the Bar Association?

If you hold a current barristers practising certificate and have...

...been charged with a serious offence or a tax offence or convicted of a notifiable summary offence or had a bankruptcy related...

Cash Rate Target Lowered to 3.85%, Effective 21 May 2025

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s Board decided on 20 May 2025 to lower the cash rate target to 3.85%. Accordingly, the rate of interest on unpaid legal costs prescribed by s 195 of the Legal...

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Diversity

Each year on 21 May, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated. World Day for Cultural Diversity is a United Nations (UN) sanctioned observance day...

NSW government media release: Circle Sentencing expanded to Sydney’s Downing Centre

The NSW Government has issued a media release regarding Circle Sentencing being expanded to Sydney’s Downing Centre.

Click here for the media release.

National Pro Bono Day

Today marks National Pro Bono Day and we take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks for our barristers’ service through the New South Wales Bar Association’s Duty Barrister Scheme and...

Licence available in 8th Floor Garfield Barwick Chambers at 53 Martin Place

A western facing, light-filled room is available for licence in the renovated 8th Floor Garfield Barwick Chambers at 53 Martin Place. This opportunity is available from June through September 2025...

The Commercial Law Association Judges Seminar Series

The CLA is running an extended series this year as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations. The line-up includes the Hon Justices Elisabeth Peden, Ian Pike, Scott Nixon, Jane Needham and Fabian...

Local Court swearing in ceremonies

Swearing in

Members are invited to attend the swearing in of 7 new magistrates to the Local Court of New South Wales. A full bench ceremony will take place at 9am in courtroom 5.2 of the Downing...

President’s Message

Professor Joseph Raz wrote, in Between Authority and Interpretation, that “the law is a constitutive element of some valuable forms of society” but that “identification with the societies one...

NSW Government Media Release on Support for people with a cognitive impairment

The NSW Government has issued a media release regarding support for people with a cognitive impairment who come into contact with the justice system.

Click here for the media release.

Proposed workers compensation reforms fail workers

Media Release

The NSW Bar Association has today issued a media release on the NSW Government’s proposed workers compensation reforms.

To view the media release, click here.

Senior...

Changes to the Local Court

The Chief Magistrate of the Local Court of NSW has today announced that all Small Claims Division matters are now heard by default by the Local Court Assessors.

This enables the Magistrates of the...

2025/2026 Committee Membership Applications

Expressions of interest are sought for membership of the Association’s committees for 2025/2026. Information about each of the Association’s 25 committees is available here. To apply, please use...

International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination

Diversity

The International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination, also known as IDAHOBIT, is held annually on 17 May. 17 May 1990 was the date on which the World Health Organisation removed...

New Commissioners appointed to the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW

Appointments

The Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon Sophie Cotsis MP, today announced the appointments of Mr Anthony Howell and Ms Alison McRobert as Commissioners of the Industrial...

Member Advantage offers

Sponsored

The Bar Association has a partnership with Member Advantage, a leading provider of benefits programs. Bar Association membership entitles you to special savings on shopping, dining,...

IRC Policy regarding the use of interpreters and the provision of funded interpreters

The Industrial Relations Commission has posted a 'Policy regarding the use of interpreters and the provision of funded interpreters' on its website. The policy can be viewed here.

Message from the Chief Justice of NSW regarding Dr Ruth Higgins SC

The Chief Justice of NSW has issued a message to the profession regarding Dr Ruth Higgins SC stepping down as President of the NSW Bar Association. To read the message, please click here.

CORRECTION: Peter Richard Capelin KC (1938–2025) funeral details

Vale

The funeral for Peter Capelin KC will be held at 10:00am on Monday 26 May (not 19 May as previously advised) at St Joseph’s College Chapel, Hunters Hill. Entry is via Mark Street. All are...

Renewal of Practising Certificates

Applications for renewal of practising certificates will be opening shortly. All barristers will receive an email containing a link to renew their practising certificates using the same online system...

BarCare: Confidential Consultation, Counselling and Care

Wellbeing

BarCare is an independent, professional counselling service, which helps the Bar to access appropriate psychological support when dealing with issues that may impact on their mental health...

International Bar Association '50:50 by 2030' Women in Law Survey

The International Bar Association’s (IBA) ‘50:50 by 2030’ Project aims to explore the lack of gender parity across all levels of the legal profession. The IBA is conducting a global anonymous...

Vale: Brian John Herron KC (1931–2025)

Vale

His Honour Brian Herron KC passed away on Sunday, 4 May 2025. Brian was called to the Bar in 1955 and was a long-time member of Eleven Wentworth Chambers. He took silk in 1976, and was a judge...

Supreme Court Bail User Group Memorandum

The Chief Justice of NSW, the Hon A S Bell and the Chief Judge at Common Law, the Hon Ian Harrison, have today published a memorandum regarding delays in the disposition of bail applications.

Click...

Vesak

Diversity

Vesak, the day of the full moon in the month of May (lunar month of Vesakha), is the most sacred day of the year for many Buddhists around the world. The day commemorates the birth of...